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Remembering the Fallen
Although students were away from campus on November 11 this year, the School still marked Remembrance Day and honoured the many from the Shawnigan community who have served – including 45 alumni and staff who died in the Second World War – with a service on Wednesday, November 13.
This year’s ceremony began with a Chapel Gathering before students moved to the Quad for the traditional placing of poppies on crosses representing Shawnigan’s war dead and laying of wreaths at the School's cenotaph.
The Chapel service was led by Head of School Mr. Richard (Larry) Lamont, and began with a land acknowledgement from Grade 11 student Toni D. (Sto:lo Nation), who also read a poem she wrote about Indigenous veterans. In addition to the hymns “I Vow to Thee My Country,” “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” and “Abide with Me,” there were also readings of Lt.-Col. John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields” by Alex F., and Laurence Binyon’s “For the Fallen” by Lucas P. The students also heard an address from Lt.-Col. (Retd) Bruce Gundling MB, CD on the topic of service, reflecting on his 38 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The outside portion of the ceremony began with a prayer from Rev. Jim Holland and included the laying of wreaths, the singing of O Canada led by the School choir, and the placement of poppies by Grade 8 students at white crosses in the Quad while the names of each of the 44 alumni and one staff member who died in the Second World War were read. Stirring renditions of “The Last Post” and “Reveille” by trumpeter JD P. framed two minutes of silence and reflection.
The colour party consisted of Ryan T. (carrying the flag of Canada), Desi S. (US), Nikita T. (Air Force), Rowan D. (BC), Arthur A. (UK), Colton W. (Army), Brandon K. (Navy), Taya L. (Shawnigan), and Cpl. Tad Narraway (RCMP), as well as youngest student Angelina Z. and Mr. Lamont. Wreaths were laid on behalf of current students and alumni, Canadian Armed Forces, Model UN, Shawnigan staff, Shawnigan Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Hilton College (South Africa), Rowing Canada, Malahat Legion, Shawnigan Lake Montessori Preschool, British Armed Forces, Indigenous Veterans and Thunder Rugby.
Shawnigan will continue to think about the consequences of armed conflict internationally with a special Chapel service this Saturday, and next Tuesday when author and CBC journalist Nahlah Ayed visits campus to speak about her book, The War We Won Apart, which tells the story of a couple who fell in love as elite agents behind enemy lines in the Second World War, and later became grandparents of Shawnigan students.
Shawnigan will continue to think about the consequences of armed conflict internationally with a special Chapel service this Saturday, and next Tuesday when author and CBC journalist Nahlah Ayed visits campus to speak about her book, The War We Won Apart, which tells the story of a couple who fell in love as elite agents behind enemy lines in the Second World War, and later became grandparents of Shawnigan students.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
